Friday, July 24, happens to be National Tequila Day. But, really, isn't every day tequila day in Houston? It's hard to imagine a week going by that we don't indulge our tequila cravings with a margarita (and chips and queso).

Truthfully, though, we'll make nice with just about any cocktail made with tequila.

Here are a few recipes to start your own party on National Tequila Day. You don't have to wait until Friday, though.

Lavender Paloma

2 ounces Milagro Silver Tequila

1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice

½ ounce lavender and vanilla syrup

½ ounce fresh lime juice

Dry Lavender Soda (brand)

Grapefruit peel, lavender and kosher salt for garnish

Instructions: In a shaker filled with ice, pour the Milagro, grapefruit juice, syrup and lime juice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with Dry Lavender Soda, and garnish. Note: lavender and vanilla syrup is simple syrup steeped with lavender and vanilla. If you can't find Dry soda, use your favorite club soda.

Blueberry Margarita

1/4 pint blueberries

½ ounce agave nectar

1 ounce Sauza Signature Blue Silver 100 percent Agave Tequila

½ ounce orange liqueur

Juice of 3/4 lime

Instructions: Wash blueberries, reserving a few for garnish. In a shaker, muddle together blueberries and agave nectar. Strain through a sieve into a Mason Jar over ice, rimmed with sugar or salt. Add the remaining ingredients, stir and serve.

Sauza Classic Margarita

1½ ounces Sauza Signature Blue Silver 100 percent Agave Tequila

1 ounce lime juice

½ ounce triple sec

½ ounce simple syrup

Instructions: Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain over ice into a margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim and serve. Salt is optional.

Platinum Pina

1½ ounces DeLeón Platinum Tequila

1 ounce fresh pineapple juice

½ ounce fresh lime juice

1 dash of jalapeño syrup

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño.

La Partida Margarita

2 ounces Partida Blanco

1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice

½ ounce agave nectar

½ ounce water

Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Blood Orange Margarita

Courtesy Refinery Rooftop bar, Refinery Hotel, New York

1½ ounces Avion Silver Tequila

1 ounce Cointreau

1½ ounces blood orange puree

¼ ounce lime juice

Ginger Beer

Instructions: Shake tequila, Cointreau, blood orange puree, and lime juice over ice. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with an orange peel.

Greg Morago was a features editor and reporter for The Hartford Courant for 25 years before joining the Houston Chronicle as food editor in 2009. He writes about food, restaurants, spirits, travel, fashion and beauty. He is a native Arizonan and member of the Pima tribe of the Gila River Indian Community.